I put a hand on Williams’s shoulder, then nodded my acknowledgment to Juliette, who sat on the stool next to him. “I’m headed out. I’ll see you Monday,” I said to my friend before I swung my bag over my shoulder and stepped toward the front door.
“Alright, man, drive safe and have a good weekend home,” Williams called back.
I was out the door and headed toward the stairs for the parking lot when the echo of light footsteps came clicking up behind me.
“Trey.”
Turning, I startled as Juliette wrapped herself around my neck. My arms remained stiff at my sides while she muffled her words against my shoulder. “I hate to see you go. We have so many fun things planned for this weekend. I was hoping we could catch up.”
I swallowed hard, unsure of what to say. “Yeah, wish I could, but I have plans with my girl. I’ll see you around next week.”
Pulling from the embrace, I tried to turn back down the hall, but Juliette grabbed my hand. “You know, I’m starting to think this mystery girl isn’t real. If you didn’t want to go on a date with me, Trey, you could’ve just said so. I’m a tough girl. I can handle rejection.”
“Juliette,” I sighed. “I can assure you she is very real. And you’re great. I’m just not on the market.”
She watched our hands as I pulled mine away. She smirked, then turned bright eyes up to me. “Well… when things change you know where to find me.”
She spun, striding back to the apartment.
“Things won’t change,” I called, feeling the need to clarify.
When Juliette reached the door, she turned a big smile on me before saying, “It’s okay, Turner. I can be patient.”
***
The drive home was long, longer feeling than usual after that.
I just wanted to see my girl and get some sleep. When I pulled up, it was close to two in the morning. I shot off a text to Mom, letting her know I made it, then beelined it for Maybelle’s room. Like I expected, she was fast asleep and looking so goddamned beautiful I wanted to weep with relief.
I reverently dropped my bag against the wall next to her desk. I slid the door closed, then quietly knelt beside her bed. I just wanted to see her and then I’d get to my room.
At least, that’s what I told myself.
Maybelle was on her back, curls billowing all around her head and across her face. I silently sucked in a breath as I brushed a few stray hairs off her cheeks.
I was caught in the Twilight zone. As I gently let my fingers trace the patterns of freckles painted across her face and the bridge of her nose, I couldn’t help but wish I could sit here forever, watching her sleep. She was enchanting, beyond breathtaking.
The moonlight glimpsing through the window was just enough to light up her hair, the skin of her throat and those plump, kissable lips.
I needed to stop staring like a freak and get to my room. I placed a light kiss on Maybelle’s cheek, thenreadied to stand when a small hand wrapped around my wrist.
“Trey?”
Now that voice—that voice sang to me. Just hearing her speak unraveled the tightness in my chest. It warmed my skin and relaxed the tension in my shoulders.
I pivoted to see her eyes were still shut, but her hand clung to me.
“Hey, May. Sorry to wake you. I just pulled in,” I whispered as I knelt back down, resting my elbows on the mattress pressed into her soft side.
A tired smile pulled at her lips while her eyes remained closed. “I’m glad you’re home.”
“Me too,” I said, my voice low as I placed a kiss to the knuckles of the hand that still hadn’t let go of me.
She rolled onto her side, fully facing me before her eyes fluttered open. “Stay with me? Wake me up when you get up?” she whispered, partly into her pillow. I placed a light peck on her nose, which she scrunched in response.
“Of course.”
I salvaged a pillow and blanket, then fell asleep on her rug, watching the moonlight dance across her face and curls, touching her in a way I wished I could.
